The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has announced the tragic death of Inspector of Customs, Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo on Saturday.
The incident occurred during a stop-and-search operation on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road, Jigawa State.
According to Isa Suleiman, the Zone B Public Relations Officer, the incident transpired when a vehicle suspected of being smuggled into the country struck the officer while attempting to evade arrest.
Sueiman stated that Inspector Abdullahi-Elenwo was rushed to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, where he was pronounced dead.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B is sad to announce the tragic demise of Inspector of Customs (IC) Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo in an unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, 12 July 2024 at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State during a stop and search operation.
“The incident occurred when a vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest.
“The late operative was rushed to the General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.
The deceased has been laid to rest in Katsina, according to Islamic rites,” Suleiman stated.
The Customs spokesman extended condolences on behalf of the officers and men of the unit, quoting the Head of Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu.
He stated that Shuaibu expressed sorrow over the incident, pointing out the desperation of smugglers and their disregard for human lives.
Comptroller Shuaibu asserted that the incident shows the level of desperation by smugglers operating without recourse to human lives, adding that it was also one of the many instances where smugglers kill and maim Personnel of the service in an attempt to evade arrest.
“The Comptroller has vowed to ensure justice is served as one suspect has been arrested and is in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State,” Suleiman added.
Inspector Hamza, born on April 16, 1985, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, joined the Nigeria Customs Service on October 17, 2013, and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs in 2022.
He is survived by his wife and two children.